Transportation carts for gas bottles

ABSTRACT

A cart is disclosed for carrying a gas bottle. The cart includes a wheeled frame and a bottle support platform. The support platform is configured to pivot between a loading position in which a gas bottle may be loaded and/or unloaded from the bottle support platform and a cradle position in which the gas bottle and the bottle support platform are elevated. A bottle rest may support the bottle when the bottle support platform is in the cradle position. A bottle support spine may also, or alternatively, support the bottle during transportation and act as a lever for pivoting the bottle support platform between the loading position and the cradle position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to transportation carts and,more particularly, to transportation carts for gas bottles.

BACKGROUND

In the arc welding industry, a welding power supply is sometimes mountedto a running gear cart. The running gear cart enables the welding powersupply, consumables, and/or accessories to be transported with ease todifferent jobs in an area. One or more large gas bottles/cylinders ofinert arc-shielding gases or other gases may be carried on the runninggear carts.

Gas bottles are often very heavy, often weighing as much as 180 pounds.Overhead cranes are rarely available at the bottle storage area.Consequently, the usual loading and unloading method has been tomanually lift the bottles. For example, a person may hug a bottle andlift it using his back and/or legs.

SUMMARY

A welding power supply cart having a lifting device for raising heavyobjects, such as gas bottles, is disclosed, substantially as illustratedby and described in connection with at least one of the figures, and asset forth more completely in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the present disclosure may be readilyunderstood with the reference to the following specifications andattached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example cart.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an example improved cart, having abottle support platform in a cradle position and a gate in a securingposition.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example improved cart of FIG. 2, with arear wheel removed and the bottle support platform and gate in theloading position.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the exampleimproved cart of FIG. 2, with a rear wheel removed, the bottle supportplatform in the cradle position, and the gate in the securing position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative example improved cart, with arear wheel removed and the bottle support platform in the cradleposition.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Where appropriate, the same orsimilar reference numerals are used in the figures to refer to similaror identical elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure may be describedhereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thefollowing description, well-known functions or constructions are notdescribed in detail because they may obscure the disclosure inunnecessary detail. For this disclosure, the following terms anddefinitions shall apply.

As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in thelist joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any elementof the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/ory” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and/or z”means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x,z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one ormore of x, y and z”.

As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” means serving as a non-limitingexample, instance, or illustration. As utilized herein, the terms “e.g.”and “for example” set off lists of one or more non-limiting examples,instances, or illustrations.

As used herein, the word “approximately,” when used to modify ordescribe a value, means reasonably close to that value.

As used herein, the term “attach” means to affix, couple, connect, join,fasten, link, and/or otherwise secure.

As used herein, the term center of gravity generally refers to a pointat which, if an item was suspended, it would be balanced in alldirections—i.e., a hypothetical balancing point in all directions.

Disclosed example carts include a bottle support platform configured topivot between a loading position in which a gas bottle may be loaded orunloaded from the bottle support platform without lifting the gasbottle, and a cradle position in which the gas bottle and the bottlesupport platform are elevated. The example carts may further includewheels configured to support the cart and a bottle rest configured tosupport the gas bottle and to limit lateral movement of the gas bottlewhen the bottle support platform is in the cradle position. The bottlesupport platform may be configured to pivot with respect to the bottlerest.

In some examples the cart includes a locking latch having an engagedposition and released position. In such an example, the locking latchmay be configured to prohibit pivoting of the bottle support platformwhen in the engaged position and allow pivoting of the bottle supportplatform when in the released position. In some examples, the bottlesupport platform includes one or more partitions that divide the bottlesupport platform into a plurality of bays, and each bay is configured toretain a gas bottle. In some examples, the cart further includes a gateto secure the gas bottle on the bottle support platform. In suchexamples, the gate may be pivotally attached to the bottle supportplatform and configured to pivot between a loading positionsubstantially planar with the bottle support platform and a securingposition angled with respect to the bottle support platform. In someexamples, the gate is biased towards the securing position. In someexamples, the gate comprises a first gate, and the cart further includesa second gate pivotally attached to the bottle support platform andconfigured to pivot between a loading position substantially planar withthe bottle support platform and a securing position angled with respectto the bottle support platform. In such an example, the second gate maybe attached to the first gate at a partition, and the partition maydivide the bottle support platform into a plurality of bays, with eachbay is configured to retain a gas bottle. In some examples, the firstgate and the second gate are biased towards the securing position. Insome examples, the cart further includes a harness to secure the gasbottle to the cart. In some examples, the cart is a running gear of awelding power supply. In some examples, the bottle support platform isconfigured to position a center of gravity of the gas bottlesubstantially vertically above a pivot of the bottle support platformwhen the bottle support platform is in the cradle position and the cartis positioned substantially horizontally.

Disclosed example carts may also include a frame configured to carry awelding type power supply, wheels configured to support the frame, abottle support platform configured to pivot between a loading positionin which a gas bottle may be loaded or unloaded from the bottle supportplatform without lifting the gas bottle, and a cradle position in whichthe gas bottle and the bottle support platform are elevated, and abottle support spine attached to the bottle support platform, where thebottle support spine is configured to support the gas bottle duringtransportation and act as a lever for pivoting the bottle supportplatform between the loading position and the cradle position.

In some examples, the cart may include a locking latch having an engagedposition and released position, where the locking latch is configured toprohibit pivoting of the bottle support platform when in the engagedposition and allow pivoting of the bottle support platform when in thereleased position. In some examples, the support platform may includeone or more partitions that divide the bottle support platform into aplurality of bays, with each bay configured to retain a bottle. In someexamples, the cart may include a gate to secure the gas bottle on thebottle support platform. In such examples, the gate may be pivotallyattached to the bottle support platform and configured to pivot betweena loading position substantially planar with the bottle support platformand a securing position angled with respect to the bottle supportplatform. In some examples, the gate is biased towards the securingposition. In some examples, the gate comprises a first gate, and thecart further includes a second gate pivotally attached to the bottlesupport platform and configured to pivot between a loading positionsubstantially planar with the bottle support platform and a securingposition angled with respect to the bottle support platform, where thesecond gate is attached to the first gate at a partition, the partitiondivides the bottle support platform into a plurality of bays, and eachbay is configured to retain a gas bottle. In some examples, the firstgate and the second gate are biased towards the securing position. Insome examples, the cart further includes a harness to secure the bottleto the cart. In some examples, the bottle support platform is configuredto position a center of gravity of the gas bottle substantiallyvertically above a pivot of the bottle support platform when the bottlesupport platform is in the cradle position and the frame is positionedsubstantially horizontally. In some examples, the cart is a running gearof a welding power supply.

Disclosed examples involve a cart having a pivoting platform that liftsa bottle of gas up while tipping the bottle over center into a nestingposition integrated on the cart. When the bottle is in the nest thebottle is much more stable than if the bottle were simply standingvertically straight. A spring loaded gate may be used to secure thebottle on the platform. The gate may be pressed to the floor whileloading the bottle, then released to retain the bottom of the bottlewhile tipping the bottle into position. As the bottle approaches aresting position, a latch may engage the platform, thereby preventing itfrom accidently being tipped back, even though the bottle is over thecenter of gravity. The latch also allows for retention of the platformin the up position if no bottles are loaded onto the cart.

The cart may be a single bottle or a multiple bottle (e.g., dual bottle)cart design. In some examples, a harness, such as a strap or chain, forinstance, may be used instead of the spring loaded gate. In someexamples, the platform and gate could be made integral, as a singlepart. The platform and/or gate may be made of spring steel, for example.In another example, the cart may include a vertical support spine thatextends above the center of gravity. The spine may act as a lever,allowing the bottle to be leaned into a resting position.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example running gear cart100. The cart 100 includes a base 102 supported by wheels 103 underneaththe base 102. A welding power supply 104 is shown positioned atop andsupported by the base 102. A handle 106 is attached to a front portionof the cart 100 base 102 for pulling and/or steering the cart 100, forexample. A flat horizontal pan 108 is attached to a rear of the cart 100base 102. In the example of FIG. 1, the pan 108 is substantially fixedin place and immovable. The pan 108 may be further supported and/orsecured by a strut 110. Two bottles 112 are shown atop the pan 108.Chains 114 encircle the bottles 112 to help prevent the bottles 112 fromfalling off the pan 108. The pan 108 is slightly elevated above thefloor. In that manner, the welding power supply 104 and the bottles 112may be transported together by the running gear cart 100.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate an example improved cart 200. The cart 200 includesa base frame 202 supported by front wheels 203 a and rear wheels 203 b.As shown, the diameters of the example rear wheels 203 b are larger thanthe diameters of the front wheels 203 a of the cart 200. In alternativeexamples, the front wheel 203 a may be larger than the rear wheels 203b, or both wheels 203 may be approximately the same size. In the exampleshown in the figures, the front wheels 203 a are positioned directlybelow the frame 202, while the rear wheels 203 b are positioned to thesides of the frame 202 and a bottle support platform 204. The frame 202may be sized and/or proportioned to fit and/or support a power supply,such as a welding power supply 104. In some examples the base frame 202may include retention structures to secure a welding power supply to theframe 202. A stanchion 206 extends vertically up from a rear of theframe 202 and terminates in a bottle rest 208. In some examples, thestanchion 206 may be positioned closer to a front and/or middle of thecart 200, in order to provide more room for a bottle to tilt beforecontacting the bottle rest 208. In some examples, the stanchion 206 maybe telescoping, or otherwise configured, such that the height of thebottle rest 208 may be changed in order to accommodate different bottle112 sizes.

As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottle rest 208 includes a lateralsupport bar 210 with nests 212. The nests 212 may be generallysemicircular and/or otherwise shaped to fit and/or support a bottle 112.The nests 212 may be sized to retain a gas bottle 112, and particularlyan upper portion of a gas bottle 112. The nests 212 may be cushionedwith one or more pads, pillows, and/or other soft material to reducefriction and/or jarring of the bottles 112 during transportation. Whilethe example cart 200 shown in the figures has two nests 212, inalternative examples the cart may include only one nest, or more thantwo nests.

As may be seen in FIGS. 2-4, the bottle support platform 204 ispositioned to the rear of the cart 200, behind the frame 202 andstanchion 206. The example platform 204 has a generally flat,continuous, and planar bottom plate 214. In some examples, the platform204 may be at least partially discontinuous, comprising a mesh screenand/or spaced support bars, for example, in place of the plate 214. Thebottle support platform 204 further includes side panels 216 and abackrest 218.

The bottle support platform 204 is attached to the base frame 202 via amechanical linkage 220 and a chassis 222. In some examples, themechanical linkage 220 may be telescoping, or otherwise configured, tomove the wheels 203 and/or bottle support platform 204 closer or fartherfrom the base frame 202 to accommodate different bottle 112 sizes and/orweights, and/or other considerations. The linkage 220 is attached to alower portion of the base frame 202 through mechanical means known tothose of ordinary skill in the art (e.g. fasteners, rivets, nails,screws, bolts, magnets, adhesive, etc.). The chassis 222 is connected tothe linkage through mechanical means known to those of ordinary skill inthe art. In the illustrated example shown in the figures, portions ofthe linkage 220 and chassis 222 extend below the frame 202 of the cart200. The linkage 220 and chassis 222 may be elevated a height H aboutthe ground when the cart 200 is on level ground with the frame 202positioned substantially horizontally. The rear wheels 203 b attach tothe chassis 222 at axles 224. The bottle support platform 204 ispivotally attached to the chassis 222 at pivot points 226.

The bottle support platform 204 is configured to rotate about the pivotpoints 226. The bottle support platform 204 is configured to rotatebetween a loading position, in which the plate 214 is flat and/or flushagainst the ground 150, such that a gas bottle may be loaded or unloadedfrom the bottle support platform 204, and a cradle position, in whichthe bottle support platform 204 (and any bottle on the bottle supportplatform) is elevated off the ground 150. The bottle 112 and/or bottlesupport platform 204 may be elevated at least a height H off of theground when the bottle support platform 204 is in the loading positionand the cart 200 is positioned on level ground, substantiallyhorizontally. While in the loading position, an operator is able to move(and/or push, slide, shift, tilt, roll, shimmy etc.) a gas bottle ontothe bottle support platform 204 without having to lift the bottle 112 upoff of the ground. The bottle support platform 204 may include a slantedand/or angled lip at the edge of the plate 214 to assist an operator inmoving the gas bottle 112 onto the plate 214 without having to lift thebottle 112 up off the ground 150. The bottle support platform isconfigured to position a center of gravity 180 of the gas bottle 112substantially vertically above a pivot 226 of the bottle supportplatform 204 when the bottle support platform 204 is in the cradleposition and the cart 200 frame 202 is positioned substantiallyhorizontally

The bottle support platform 204 may be rotated to a cradle positionafter a bottle 112 has been loaded onto the bottle support platform 204,and/or when the cart 200 is ready for transport. A backstop 228 of thechassis 222 may prevent rotation of the bottle support platform 204beyond a certain point when rotating to the cradle position. In someexamples, the bottle support platform 204 may be spring loaded and/orbiased towards the elevated cradle position, such that a force is neededto keep the bottle support platform 204 on the ground in the loadingposition. In such an example, the bottle support platform 204 mayautomatically move to, and/or stay in, a cradle position, elevated offthe ground, when there are no bottles 112 (and/or other loads) on thebottle support platform 204. In other examples, the bottle supportplatform 204 may be unbiased, requiring a manual effort to rotate thebottle support platform 204 between the loading and cradle positions. Insome examples, the bottle support platform 204 may be motorized, suchthat the bottle support platform 204 may be rotated between loading andcradle positions using a motor driven mechanism that is controlledthrough a corresponding interface.

A gate 230 is pivotally attached to the bottle support platform 204 atjoints 232. The joints 232 are positioned on the side support panels 216of the bottle support platform 204. The gate 230 is configured to rotateabout the joint 232 between a loading position and a securing position.When in the loading position, the gate 230 may be substantially planarand/or parallel with the bottom plate 214 of the support platform 204,and/or perpendicular to a backrest 218 of the bottle support platform204, such that a bottle 112 may be loaded onto the bottle supportplatform 204. When in a securing position, the gate 230 may besubstantially angled with respect to the bottom plate 214 and/orbackrest 218 of the bottle support platform 204, so as to secure thebottle 112 in the bottle support platform 204. The configuration of thejoint 232 may limit rotational movement beyond the loading and/orsecuring positions, such that the limit of the gate 230 in a firstdirection is the loading position, and the limit of the gate in a seconddirection is the securing position. In alternative examples, the gate230 may be able to rotate freely beyond the loading and/or securingpositions, to the extent the gate 230 is not otherwise limited by theground 150 (and/or floor), a bottle 112, the bottle support platform204, the chassis 222, and/or some other structure. In some examples, theplatform 204 and gate 230 may be made integral, as a single part. Theplatform and/or gate may be made of spring steel, for example.

The gate 230 is spring loaded and biased towards the securing position.The gate 230 is thus configured to default to a securing position. Whilein the securing position, the gate may restrain and/or restrict movementof a gas bottle 112 loaded onto the bottle support platform 204, so thatthe gas bottle 112 does not fall off the bottle support platform 204.When loading a bottle 112 onto the platform 204, the gate 230 may belowered to the loading position using a hand, foot, a pole (and/or rod,staff, stick etc.), and/or other means to press down on the gate,thereby rotating the gate 230 towards the ground 150 to the loadingposition. While the gate 230 is in a loading position, a bottle 112 maybe loaded onto the platform 204. As the bottle moves onto the platform,the weight of the bottle 112 itself may hold down the gate 230. Afterthe bottle 112 is entirely onto the plate 214, the gate 230 may be freeto rotate back to the securing position, so as to help secure the bottle112 on the platform 204.

The plate 214 of the platform 204 and the gate 230 may be sized tocomplement one another. As shown in the figures, both the plate 214 andthe gate 230 are rounded, having a generally semicircular and/ortruncated circle shape. An inner diameter of the gate 230 is slightlylarger or equal to a diameter of the plate 214. An outer diameter of thegate is larger than the diameter of the plate 214. The plate 214 andgate 230 may be substantially planar and continuous with respect to oneanother when both the plate 214 and the gate 230 are pressed down to theground 150 in a bottle 112 loading position.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the gate 230 may comprise multiple gates 230a, 230 b. The gates 230 may attach to one another at a partition 231that divides the bottle support platform 204 into two bays 233. In otherexamples, there may only be one gate 230 and one bay 233, or more thantwo gates 230, dividing the platform 204 into more than two bays 233.Each bay 233 is configured to retain one bottle 112. In general, thenumber of bays 233 may correspond to the number of nests 212 in thebottle rest 208.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the bottle support platform 204includes two locking latches 234. Each locking latch 234 is configuredto rotate between an engaged position, where the locking latch 234prohibits rotation of the bottle support platform 204, and a releasedposition, where the bottle support platform 204 is free to rotate. Eachlocking latch 234 is rotatably attached to a side panel 216 of theplatform 204 at a hinge 235. Each locking latch 234 comprises asubstantially flat bar body 236 with bent and/or hooked ends 238 thatextend substantially perpendicular to the body 236. The ends 238 aresized and/or configured to fit into slots 240 on the sides of thechassis 222 when the locking latch 234 is in the engaged position. Thechassis 222 and/or locking latch 234 are sized and/or configured suchthat an end 238 of the locking latch 234 may be rotated into the slot240 on the chassis 222 to put the locking latch 234 in the engagedposition when the platform 204 is in the elevated cradle. Once snuglyfit in the slot 240, the locking latch 234 is configured tosubstantially prevent and/or resist rotation of the platform 204 towardsthe ground 150 and/or loading position, as a portion of the chassis 222below the slot 240 will abut the end 238 of the locking latch 234 thatis secured in the slot 240. Thus, an operator may lock the platform 204into its elevated cradle position using the locking latch 234 whentransporting a bottle 112. To unlock the platform 204, the other end 238of the locking latch 234 may be pushed towards the backstop 228 so as torotate the locking latch 234 into the released position and dislodge theend 238 that is stuck in the slot 240. In alternative examples, thelocking latch 234 may have other configurations, such as a hook thatattaches to a catch on the backstop 228, for example. In some examples,only one locking latch 234 and one corresponding slot 240 may be used.The locking latch 234 may be in the released position, and prohibitedfrom moving to the engaged position, when the bottle support platform204 is in the loading position.

In operation, an operator may need to load a bottle 112 onto the cart200 for transport, either by itself or in conjunction with thetransportation of equipment (e.g. a welding power supply). To load thebottle 112, an operator may move the cart 200 near to where the bottle112 is currently stored. The bottle 112 may be in a standing positionwhen stored, or moved to a standing position by the operator. Theoperator may rotate the locking latch 234 to a released position (if itis not already in a released position) and rotate the bottle supportplatform 204 to the loading position. Afterwards, or at the same time,the operator may push down the gate 230 to the loading position, so asto open a bay 233 for loading. The latch 234, gate 230, and/or bottlesupport platform 204 may be moved by an operator's foot, for instance.

Once both the plate 214 and gate 230 are in the loading position, theoperator may move the bottle 112 past the gate 230 and onto the plate214 of the bottle support platform 204. The bottle 112 may be moved byshimmying, rolling, and/or tipping the base back and forth, to sort ofslide it along the ground 150 and onto the bottle support platform 204,for example. With the plate 214 flush against the ground 150 (and thegate 230 down), there will likely be no need to lift the bottle entirelyoff the ground, which makes it much easier for an operator to load thebottle 112. While the bottle 112 is moving across the gate 230 onto thebottle support platform 204, the gate 230 may be held down by the weightof the bottle 112.

Once the bottle 112 is positioned in a bay 233 of the bottle supportplatform 204, the gate 230 may spring back to the securing position,provided nothing is holding the gate 230 down. The operator may thenrepeat the process to load another bottle into another bay, providedthere are other open bays 233 and/or bottles 112 to be loaded. Afterloading all the possible and/or desired bottles 112, the bottle supportplatform 204 may be rotated to the cradle position. This rotation may beperformed, for example, by pushing on the backrest 218 of the bottlesupport platform 204, and/or by pushing on a middle and/or upper portionthe gas bottle 112, which may in turn push on the backrest 218 of thebottle support platform, causing rotation of the bottle support platform204 about its pivot 226. The bottle 112 may be prevented from slidingoff the bottle support platform 204 during rotation by the gate 230. Tothe extent a lower portion of the bottle 112 presses against the gate230, this may also help to rotate the bottle support platform 204. Asthe bottle support platform 204 is rotated to the cradle position, aportion of the bottle 112 may come to sit in a nest 212 of the bottlerest 208, so as to further support the bottle 112 during transport. Inthis position the bottle 112 should be substantially stable. Finally,the bottle support platform 204 may be locked against unwanted movementby rotating the locking latch 234 into a locking engagement with theslot 240 of the chassis 222. With the bottle 112 secured to the bottlesupport platform 204, and the bottle support platform 204 locked inplace, the cart 200 may be moved.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative example improved cart 500. The cart500 is similar in most respects to the cart 200. The cart 500 may differfrom the cart 200 in that the cart 500 uses a locking latch 534, a spine502, and harness 504 to help stabilize and secure the bottle 112. Asshown in the figures, the alternative cart 500 has a vertical supportspine 502 that extends upwards from the bottle support platform 204. Thespine 502 may be a vertical extension of the backstop 228 of the bottlesupport platform 204. Alternatively, the spine 502 may be a separatestructure that attaches to the backstop 228 and/or plate 214 of thebottle support platform 204. The spine 502 may span the entire width ofthe bottle support platform 204, from side panel 216 to side panel 216,or may be more of a pillar positioned in the back of a bay 233 and/ortowards the middle of the bay 233. In some examples, there may be onesupport spine 502 for each bay 233.

A harness 504, such as a strap and/or chain, for example, may wraparound the bottle 112 and attach to the spine 502. In some examples, theharness 504 may wrap around the bottle 112 and attach to the stanchion206. In some examples, the harness 504 may wrap around the bottle 112and attach to itself, such as with a fabric hook and loop fastener (i.e.Velcro®), a magnet, a ratchet tie down, a bungee tie down, a combinationand/or key lock, a tie, and/or some other mechanism known to those ofordinary skill in the art. The spine 502 may be configured to sit in anest 212 of the bottle rest 208. Alternatively, a modified bottle rest208 with no nests 212 may be used, such that the spine 502 rests againstthe bar 210. In another example, the bottle rest 208 may be removedentirely. In operation, the spine 502 may be used as a lever to tilt thebottle 112 and the rotate the bottle support platform 204 (when thebottle support platform is 204 not locked in place).

A locking latch 534 may be attached to the vertical support spine 502 ata hinge 535 on the spine 502. In some examples, a locking latch 234attached to the bottle support platform 204, as with the cart 200, mayalso be used, such that there are two locking latches 534, 234 used. Inother examples, only the locking latch 534 may be used. The lockinglatch 534 may have a hooked end or a hooked portion 538 carved out ofits bar body 536 near the end 238. The hook 538 may engage with aprotrusion 540 on the stanchion 206 to lock the bottle support platform204 in place and prevent rotation towards the ground 150. In someexamples, there may be a separate stanchion 206 and protrusion 540 foreach vertical support spine 502 in each bay 233. In some examples, thelocking latch 534 may be attached to an extension, so as to help alignthe locking latch on the protrusion 540. In some examples, the extensionmay be telescoping and/or otherwise adjustable. In some examples, thehook 538 may hook onto and/or around the lateral support bar 210 of thebottle rest 208, or some other similar structure.

Though FIG. 5 shows the cart 500 without the gate 230 and/or the lowerlocking latches 234, in some examples the cart 500 may also use thelatches 234 and the gate 230. In examples where there is no gate 230,the bottle support platform 204 may be divided into bays 233 with astatic partition attached to the plate 214 and/or backrest 218.

The disclosed carts 200, 500 may be configured for a variety of gasbottles 112. The gas bottles 112 may contain, for example, propane,acetylene, argon, helium, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and/or any othersuitable gases. The gas bottles 112 may also contain blends of gases.The gas bottles 112 may contain shielding gases, for example. The carts200, 500 may be configured for gas bottles 112 having a volume between20 cubic feet to 400 cubic feet, for example. In an exemplary example,the carts 200, 500 may be configured for a 300 cubic foot gas bottle. Insome examples, the carts 200, 500 may be configured for gas bottleshaving a volume between 6 pounds and 100 pounds. In some examples, thecarts 200, 500 may be configured for gas bottles having a height rangingfrom 14 inches to 75 inches. In an exemplary example, the carts 200, 500may be configured for a bottle 112 having a height of 55 inches. In someexamples, the carts 200, 500 may be configured for a gas bottle 112having a diameter between 5 inches and 20 inches. In an exemplaryexample, the carts 200, 500 may be configured for a bottle 112 having adiameter of 9 inches.

While the present method and/or system has been described with referenceto certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the scope of the present methodand/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from its scope. For example, systems,blocks, and/or other components of disclosed examples may be combined,divided, re-arranged, and/or otherwise modified. Therefore, the presentmethod and/or system are not limited to the particular implementationsdisclosed. Instead, the present method and/or system will include allimplementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, bothliterally and under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cart, comprising: a chassis; a bottle supportplatform coupled to the chassis, the bottle support comprising abackrest and a bottom plate and configured to pivot, relative to thechassis, between: a loading position in which a gas bottle can be loadedor unloaded from the bottle support platform without lifting the gasbottle; and a cradle position in which the gas bottle is supported bythe bottle support platform, and the gas bottle and the bottle supportplatform are elevated, wherein the chassis is configured to abut thebackrest when the bottle support platform is in the cradle position,thereby preventing further pivoting of the bottle support platform;wheels configured to support the cart; and a bottle rest configured tosupport the gas bottle and to limit lateral movement of the gas bottlewhen the bottle support platform is in the cradle position.
 2. The cartof claim 1, further including a locking latch having an engaged positionwhere the locking latch is engaged with the chassis, and a releasedposition where the locking latch is not engaged with the chassis,wherein the locking latch is configured to prohibit pivoting of thebottle support platform from the cradle position to the loading positionwhen in the engaged position and allow pivoting of the bottle supportplatform when in the released position.
 3. The cart of claim 2, whereinthe locking latch engages with the chassis when the locking latch is inthe engaged position.
 4. The cart of claim 1, further including a gateto secure the gas bottle on the bottle support platform, wherein thegate is pivotally attached to the bottle support platform by way of ajoint, and configured to pivot about the joint between a loadingposition substantially planar with the bottle support platform and asecuring position angled with respect to the bottle support platform. 5.The cart of claim 4, wherein the gate is biased towards the securingposition.
 6. The cart of claim 4, wherein the gate comprises a firstgate, wherein the cart further includes a second gate pivotally attachedto the bottle support platform and configured to pivot between a loadingposition substantially planar with the bottle support platform and asecuring position angled with respect to the bottle support platform,wherein the second gate is attached to the first gate at a partition,wherein the partition divides the bottle support platform into aplurality of bays, and wherein each bay is configured to retain a gasbottle.
 7. The cart of claim 6, wherein the first gate and the secondgate are biased towards the securing position.
 8. The cart of claim 1,further including a harness to secure the gas bottle to the cart.
 9. Thecart of claim 1, wherein the chassis is mechanically linked to a framesized or proportioned to support a welding power supply.
 10. The cart ofclaim 1, wherein the bottle support platform is configured to position acenter of gravity of the gas bottle substantially vertically above apivot of the bottle support platform when the bottle support platform isin the cradle position and the cart is positioned substantiallyhorizontally.
 11. A cart, comprising: a frame configured to carry awelding type power supply; wheels configured to support the frame; achassis coupled to the frame; a bottle support platform pivotallyattached to the chassis by way of a joint, the bottle support platformcomprising a backrest and a bottom plate and configured to pivot aboutthe joint between: a loading position in which a gas bottle can beloaded or unloaded from the bottle support platform without lifting thegas bottle; and a cradle position in which the gas bottle and the bottlesupport platform are elevated, wherein the chassis is configured to abutthe backrest when the bottle support platform is in the cradle position,thereby preventing further pivoting of the bottle support platform; anda bottle support spine attached to the bottle support platform, whereinthe bottle support spine is configured to support the gas bottle duringtransportation and act as a lever for pivoting the bottle supportplatform between the loading position and the cradle position.
 12. Thecart of claim 11, further including a locking latch having an engagedposition and released position, wherein the locking latch is configuredto prohibit pivoting of the bottle support platform when in the engagedposition and allow pivoting of the bottle support platform when in thereleased position.
 13. The cart of claim 11, wherein the supportplatform includes one or more partitions that divide the bottle supportplatform into a plurality of bays, wherein each bay is configured toretain a bottle.
 14. The cart of claim 11, further including a gate tosecure the gas bottle on the bottle support platform, wherein the gateis pivotally attached to the bottle support platform by way of a joint,and configured to pivot about the joint between a loading positionsubstantially planar with the bottle support platform and a securingposition angled with respect to the bottle support platform.
 15. Thecart of claim 14, wherein the gate is biased towards the securingposition.
 16. The cart of claim 14, wherein the gate comprises a firstgate, wherein the cart further includes a second gate pivotally attachedto the bottle support platform and configured to pivot between a loadingposition substantially planar with the bottle support platform and asecuring position angled with respect to the bottle support platform,wherein the second gate is attached to the first gate at a partition,wherein the partition divides the bottle support platform into aplurality of bays, and wherein each bay is configured to retain a gasbottle.
 17. The cart of claim 16, wherein the first gate and the secondgate are biased towards the securing position.
 18. The cart of claim 11,further including a harness to secure the bottle to the cart.
 19. Thecart of claim 11, wherein the bottle support platform is configured toposition a center of gravity of the gas bottle substantially verticallyabove a pivot of the bottle support platform when the bottle supportplatform is in the cradle position and the frame is positionedsubstantially horizontally.
 20. The cart of claim 11, wherein the cartis a running gear of a welding power supply.